Intermountain Gas Company has been granted authority to
temporarily interrupt service to customers who use snowmelt equipment during
periods when natural gas is in short supply. New residential and commercial
customers who have snowmelt equipment would receive a discounted rate in
exchange for their service being interrupted. Existing customers can volunteer
to receive the lower rate in exchange for their willingness to have service
interrupted.

Natural-gas fired snow-melting equipment, installed under driveways
and on rooftops, uses an inordinate amount of natural gas compared to more
conventional uses. During days when natural gas is at peak use, snow-melt use
competes with other customers for the finite amount of available natural gas
than can flow through Intermountain’s distribution system, potentially
degrading service to other customers. System expansion to serve the increased
load for snowmelt customers could substantially increase costs and, thus, rates
for all customers.

After taking customer comments and also conducting a
workshop, the commission is granting Intermountain Gas’ request. “By making
snowmelt service interruptible, future system expansions to serve this load can
be avoided and snowmelt service can occur when system capacity is available,”
the commission said. The commission also said the company should “actively
promote and market its interruptible tariffs as a conservation measure in order
to maximize participation among existing snowmelt customers.”

There should be a minimum of two hours’ notice before
interrupting a snowmelt customer’s service, the commission said. In addition,
the company must keep affected customers apprised of when service is expected
to be restored.

An on-off switch will be located at an outdoor perimeter site
that is easily accessible to Intermountain Gas personnel, which will negate the
need to enter a customer’s home. In the future, remote technology should be
available that would negate the need for the on-off switch at each site.

Documents
related to this case are available on the commission’s Web site at www.puc.idaho.gov. Click on “File Room”
and then on “Gas Cases” and scroll down to INT-G-09-03.